Hostage families and released captives joined a “Selichot” prayer service at the Western Wall late on Monday night, pleading for the release of the remaining 50 hostages still in Gaza after 690 days.

The prayer gathering was held with the participation of Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who oversees the Western Wall and holy sites, alongside thousands of worshippers.

During the service, Rabinowitz offered a prayer for the return of the hostages to their families, for the fallen to be returned for burial, for the recovery of the wounded, for the safety of the nation’s soldiers and security forces and for peace and security.

In addition to hostage families, former Hamas captives Keith Siegel and Yelena Trupanob also participated in the solemn pre-holiday service.